Hurricane Isaias live updates: Flooding causes havoc in parts of Myrtle Beach area
1 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 4:
Wind and rain have slowed down in the Myrtle Beach area after Hurricane Isaias passed through the area.
The most significant damages was in the North Myrtle Beach area where several roads were flooded. The waters also entered some homes in the Cherry Grove area. Firefighters also battled several building fires during the storm.
Myrtle Beach was spared significant damage, though storm surge flooded some parts of Ocean Boulevard.
Flooding was also reported in other Horry County coastal communities.
12:20 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 4:
North Myrtle Beach fire crews also responded to several fires in homes, spokesman Pat Dowling said. One had significant damage, one had moderate damage and the others had the fires quickly extinguished.
11:15 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Thousands of people are without power in Horry County as the wind and rain caused problems in the area. At one point, Santee Cooper had more than 6,000 customers without power.
10:45 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Flooding cased issues in some parts of Horry County, including the North Myrtle Beach area. Residents and officials reported four feet of water in some areas of Cherry Grove.
“There’s waves of water. You got some trees down,” said Raymond Dennis who lives in the area.
The flooding is some of the worst in the last 30 years and the most damaging since Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Dennis said.
9:10 Storm Update for Aug. 3:
The National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina reports that Hurricane Isaias has strengthened with maximum sustained winds of up to 85 mph.
That could mean higher winds and gusts in the Myrtle Beach area and along the southeastern North Carolina coast, with both areas facing a significant risk for tornadoes.
Ed Piotrowski, with The Sun News’ news alliance partner WPDE, said it appears Isaias will not make landfall in South Carolina, though impacts will still be felt. He said Isaias will probably make landfall in southeastern North Carolina in the next couple hours.
8:15 Storm Update for Aug. 3:
A building on Apache Pier was damaged as Hurricane Isaias moved into the area.
A video posted on social media showed the yellow roof of a building on the pier waving in the wind. The roof was nearly separated from the rest of the building.
Apache Pier is a popular spot between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach.
The video was posted around 8 p.m. Monday as the storm moved into Horry County.
8 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Forecasters say Hurricane Isaias has reached category one status as it nears Myrtle Beach.
The storm is projected to make landfall in the area in the next couple of hours. Category one status means the storm has sustained winds of 75 mph.
7:30 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Rain and wind have picked up as Tropical Storm Isaias nears the Myrtle Beach area. Landfall is expected in the next few hours.
Some minor flooding has been reported in the North Myrtle Beach area.
6:15 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
About 1,500 Santee Cooper customers are without power in North Myrtle Beach due to a fire on a power pole.
Even as the storm approaches, some people have not be deterred from the beach activity.
5 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
The storm is expected to make landfall as a hurricane, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Currently the storm is about 120 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach.
Maximum sustained winds are measured at 70 miles per hour. Tropical-storm-force winds extend for 125 miles form the center of the storm, forecasters say.
Rain has started to fall across the Grand Strand, but strong winds have yet to arrive.
4:45 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Horry County is now under a tornado watch until 2 a.m. Tuesday.
3 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
While no evacuations have been ordered as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its way toward the South Carolina coast, Horry County officials are urging residents and visitors to take it seriously.
Randy Webster, the county’s assistance administrator for public safety, told reporters Monday afternoon at a press conference that the storm could turn into a hurricane before reaching the area, but impacts will likely be identical either way with some storm surge, flash flooding and wind damage.
The phone bank for questions regarding the hurricane will be open at that time at 843-915-5000.
“Here we are with a hurricane in the midst of covid, which is one of the things we’ve dreaded most this year, but we’ve made the adjustments we need to make and are working forward to continue providing the services we need to provide,” he said.
Webster noted that power outages and road closures caused by the storm could last longer than normal this year due to COVID-19 precautions reducing staff availability.
Renee Hardwick, county 911 director, reminded residents not to call 911 for power outages and to call their non-emergency line at 843-248-1520 for issues that don’t require an immediate response.
With no evacuation ordered, the county didn’t open any emergency shelters. For residents in low-lying areas prone to flooding, Webster suggested seeking shelter from friends or relatives Monday night, and the county will be able to open shelters with the Red Cross or address needs on an individual basis for longer term damages.
2:30 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
North Myrtle Beach residents and those currently vacationing in the city who need non-emergency storm-related information are advised to call the city’s Emergency Operations Center at 843-663-8778.
2 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
As of 2 p.m., Isaias is still expected to make landfall Monday night as a Category 1 hurricane that will result in strong wind and heavy rainfall.
The center of the storm is located about 115 miles south of Charleston and about 180 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach moving 13 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Maximum sustained winds remain at 70 mph with higher gusts, but forecasters still warn the storm will regain hurricane strength as the cyclone reaches the Myrtle Beach coast.
Double red flags are flying in Myrtle Beach, which means the ocean is closed to the public. Due to life-threatening rip currents and rough surf, there will be no swimming, wading or surfing permitted until officials deem the water is safe again.
1 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Nothing has changed much with the storm as of 1 p.m., but the National Weather Service is warning the area could be inundated with about three to five feet of potential storm surge, as the storm will hit simultaneously with high tide between 8 p.m. and midnight.
The storm will also result in life-threatening rip currents, which are expected to sustain through midweek. The area will see waves reach heights of up to 20 feet, according to the latest forecast. Maritime conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday night into Wednesday.
12:30 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
All Horry County government offices will close at 3 p.m. County offices will reopen at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
The county will also move to OPCON 1 at 3 p.m.
12 p.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
There is a five to 10 percent chance there will see hurricane force sustained winds along the Myrtle Beach coast as Isaias makes it approach, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Center.
The potential for the highest sustained winds is for coastal areas, with speeds reaching up to 70 mph near the coast and 40 mph inland, forecasters say. Peak wind gusts of up to 85 mph is expected near the coast and up to 50 mph inland.
While the storm will bring heavy rain, there is a moderate threat issued for flooding. Potential impacts including some low-lying areas along roads flooded, flooding near poor drainage and prone locations, according to the forecast.
Minor flooding is expected in the Waccamaw River in Conway and the Little Pee Dee River at Galivants Ferry, according to the NWS.
There is also the potential for several tornadoes in areas east of Lumberton to Marion and Kingstree line Monday evening through early Tuesday morning.
11:30 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
All of Conway Medical Center’s outpatient and non-essential staff locations will close Monday at 4 p.m. This includes provider practice locations on and off the main campus, the Outpatient Diagnostic Center, Rehabilitation Building and Administration Building.
All other departments will be open for business on Tuesday as originally planned on their regular schedules this week, as of Monday, hospital officials said.
Facilities in North Myrtle Beach, including J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, NMB Aquatic & Fitness Center and NMB Park & Sports Complex will close at 6 p.m.
Myrtle Beach city facilities will close at 5 p.m. on Monday. This includes recreation centers, playgrounds, Chapin Memorial Library and Municipal Court. Facilities will reopen on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
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11 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Isaias is expected to make landfall Monday night as a Category 1 hurricane, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The center of the storm is still slated to approach the Myrtle Beach coast Monday evening, with the storm strengthening Monday afternoon. Isaias is forecast to upgrade to a hurricane just before reaching the South Carolina coast, with it weakening as it makes landfall and move across the region.
As of 11 a.m., the center of the storm was located about 145 miles east-southeast of Brunswick, Georgia, and about 220 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach moving 13 mph. The storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Over in Murrells Inlet, eight goats from Goat Island near the MarshWalk were evacuated and carted offshore to Jack and Kim Patrick’s farm about a mile inland. The goats are expected to return to the island sometime Tuesday.
9:30 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
North Myrtle Beach trash collection will remain on schedule on Tuesday, but residents are asked not to roll-out containers curbside until Tuesday morning. The city will delay the route for a few hours to allow for cans to be put out, officials said.
9:15 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
Due to inclement weathers as Isaias approaches, Coastal Grand Mall will be closing early on Monday at 5 p.m. Department store and restaurant hours may vary but mall updates can be found on the mall website and Facebook page.
8 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
The Myrtle Beach area will likely see tropical storm-force winds beginning as early as late Monday afternoon, with the chance for damaging winds now 40-70 percent for the area, according to the National Weather Service.
While the chance of sustained hurricanes winds remain relatively low, forecasters say there’s a greater chance the area will see hurricane force gusts up to 80 mph along the coast and up to 50 mph inland. Potential sustained winds are expected to be 50 to 60 mph near the coast and 20 to 40 mph inland, according to the forecast.
However, a slight change to the storms track can impact wind strength.
Areas with the highest winds can expect downed trees and limbs, damage to fences, awnings and unanchored mobile homes. In addition, some power outages are likely Monday night into Tuesday morning.
While rainfall remains the same, the greatest potential for flooding will be Monday night, forecasters say.
As of 8 a.m., the center of the storm was located about 100 miles east-southeast of Jacksonville, Florida, and about 250 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach moving 13 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
5 a.m. Storm Update for Aug. 3:
A hurricane warning is now in effect for the Myrtle Beach area with Tropical Storm Isasias expected to upgrade to hurricane as it approaches the Grand Strand on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Warnings for storm surge, flooding rain are also in effect with the potential for a few tornadoes along the coast when the storm hits Monday night. While Isaias is seeing maximum sustained winds near 70 mph with higher gusts, the storm is forecast to strengthen and regain hurricane strength before it reaches the South Carolina coast Monday afternoon.
Isaias is currently 280 miles from Myrtle Beach and traveling at about 9 mph, according to the NHC. The storms speed is expected to increase as it takes turn toward the north and north-northeast, according to the forecast.
On the forecast track, the center of Isaias will pass well east of the Georgia coast through Monday morning, with the center approaching the Myrtle Beach coast later today. The center will then move inland over eastern North Carolina Monday night and move along the coast of the mid-Atlantic states on Tuesday and into the northeaster United States by Tuesday night.
The Myrtle Beach area is projected to see heavy rainfall from three to six inches of rain, with some isolated spots getting seven to eight inches, according to the forecast. Possible flash flooding can also be expected in low-lying areas, creeks, streams, ditches and retention ponds.
There is also a potential of storm surge impacting areas near the beach. Peak storm surge is expected between two to four feet. Swimmers are advised to stay out of the ocean with the storm causing life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Furthermore, the Myrtle Beach area could see a few tornadoes starting Monday evening as the storm approaches.
In preparation for the storm, several area municipalities have declared a State of Emergency ahead of the storm’s arrival, while S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster has not ordered an evacuation, deeming the action “unnecessary.”
Furthermore, Myrtle Beach city residents are advised the solid waste and recycling schedule will remain on schedule for Monday but will delayed by a couple of hours Tuesday to about 8 a.m. Government officials ask residents not to place their pelican (trash can) out until after the winds from tropical storm Isaias pass.
The City of Conway stated that trash pickup scheduled for Tuesday would be postponed until Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 3, 2020 at 7:39 AM.
